Ally McErlaine

Alistair Manson McErlaine (born 31 October 1968), known as Ally McErlaine, is a Scottish guitarist, best known for his work with the band Texas, which he has been a member of since 1988.^[1] Ally is also a member of Red Sky July, who released their self-titled debut album on 17 October 2011.

Ally McErlaine
McErlaine performing live with Texas in 2011
Background information
Birth name	Alistair Manson McErlaine
Born	(1968-10-31) 31 October 1968 (age 56) Glasgow, Scotland
Genres	Alternative rock country rock pop rock
Occupation	Guitarist
Years active	1988−present
Member of	Texas Red Sky July
Spouse	Shelly Poole ​ (m. 2001)​

Biography

McErlaine married Shelly Poole from Alisha's Attic in 2001. Other works aside from Texas, included a guest appearance on Rufus Wainwright's second album, Poses (2001), and Alain Bashung's 1994 album Chatterton.^[2] He was also the lead guitarist on the soundtrack album for the 2004 remake of the film, Alfie, along with Mick Jagger and David A. Stewart. He wrote and played guitar on two songs on Daisy Dares You's album, Rush on Jive Records.

McErlaine also wrote and played on the song "Hope", with Jack Savoretti and his wife Shelly Poole from her album, Hard Time for the Dreamer. It was released on Transistor Records in June 2005. It received airplay on BBC Radio 2 in November 2005. He played guitar on Gabrielle's fifth album, Always. In 2009, he started the alternative country band, Red Sky July, with his wife and American singer Charity Hair.^{[citation needed]}

Musical career

Texas

Main article: Texas (band)

McErlaine, Sharleen Spiteri and Johnny McElhone are credited as the founding members of Texas.^[3]

Red Sky July

McErlaine is also a member of the band Red Sky July, who released their self-titled debut album on 17 October 2011.^[4]

Personal life

On 8 September 2009, McErlaine was admitted to hospital after he collapsed with a massive brain aneurysm at the age of 41. His chances of recovery were initially unclear.^[5][6] McErlaine was in a coma for nine weeks, and spent six and a half months in hospital, before being discharged to continue to recover at home. By July 2010, McErlaine had recovered enough to perform on stage in several shows with Red Sky July, and had a chance to join Texas for their tour in 2011.^[7]

Discography

Main article: Texas discography

• Southside (1989)
• Mothers Heaven (1991)
• Ricks Road (1993)
• White on Blonde (1997)
• The Hush (1999)
• Careful What You Wish For (2003)
• Red Book (2005)
• The Conversation (2013)
• Jump on Board (2017)
• Hi (2021)

References

1. "Ally McErlaine". discogs. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
2. Chatterton (album booklet). Alain Bashung. Barclay Records. 1994. 523 111-2.{{cite AV media notes}}: CS1 maint: others in cite AV media (notes) (link)
3. Purden, Richard (21 May 2021). "Sharleen Spiteri talks sexism in the music industry, Texas and Henrik Larsson". The Irish Times. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
4. Jenkins, Jack (16 September 2016). "INTERVIEW: ALLY MCERLAINE FROM RED SKY JULY..." Live Nation TV. Retrieved 10 February 2022.
5. Reporter, News (12 September 2009). "Texas guitarist suffers brain haemorrhage". NME. Retrieved 24 March 2019. {{cite web}}: |first= has generic name (help)
6. "Texas Guitarist 'Critical' After Brain Haemorrhage". Contactmusic.com. 12 September 2009. Retrieved 24 March 2019.
7. Davidson, Lynn (13 June 2010). "Guitarist Ally McErlaine set to tour with Texas again after recovering from aneurysm". Dailyrecord.co.uk. Retrieved 24 March 2019.